BRICS countries to expand opportunities for youth in education, skills

The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with the adoption of the Joint Statement. The meeting reviewed progress in youth cooperation among BRICS countries and discussed ways to expand opportunities for young people in education, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and social development. The Joint Statement identified key areas including education, training and skills, youth entrepreneurship, science and technology, health and sports, environment and sustainability, social and cultural participation, volunteering, poverty reduction, interfaith dialogue and youth inclusion. 
Presiding over the meeting, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said youth must be partners in shaping the future. Referring to India’s vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for developing one lakh young leaders without a political background to help realise the vision. Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the MY Bharat platform, describing it as a one-stop platform for volunteering, learning, leadership and civic engagement. He said more than 25 million young people have registered on the platform. The meeting discussed creating an enabling environment for youth participation in decision-making, strengthening youth-led initiatives, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding cross-border youth exchanges. On the sidelines, Dr. Mandaviya held bilateral meetings with counterparts from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to strengthen cooperation in youth affairs and sports, particularly in skills, entrepreneurship, digital engagement and youth exchange programmes. The meeting marked an important step towards deeper youth cooperation and partnerships among BRICS countries.